Lawrence’s family was extrely welcoming to them. The joy on their faces seeing Zyair arrive was priceless. Although all of them kept a respectable distance except Lawrence, Skyla could see how overly joyed they were.
"Finally! I thought you people had bailed on ." Lawrence gave them both hugs. He was one person Zyair was extrely comfortable with.
"We would never," Skyla reassured him as he led her forward to et his mother.
"Mom, please et Miss Skyla." Lawrence made the introductions with a middle-aged and yet very poised lady with olive-tanned flawless skin and black curly hair. Lawrence had inherited his good looks from her.
"It’s so good to finally et you, Skyla. I am Iris." She openly embraced Skyla with a warm smile that reached the depth of her hazel eyes.
"Likewise, I am very glad to et you." Skyla returned her affection as Zyair watched them from a distance but with a content heart and a pleasant smile.
A girl with the sa curly hair as Iris, decorated with multiple ribbons and beads ca rushing out of the room and dramatically sighed seeing Zyair. Although she remained closer to her mother she couldn’t help but scream in joy.
"Maziah, you are here."
"I am, wouldn’t miss your birthday," Zyair answered in a cheerful voice. Skyla could sense he liked that kid, his eyes held this adoration for the child.
"And he brought soone along too. Why don’t you greet her and then we can all sit and talk." Her mom ushered her towards Skyla and she shyly watched the beautiful girl with red hair.
Skyla extended her hand towards the girl with a cheerful smile.
"Hi, I am Skyla." She reluctantly shook it but a small smile crept up on her face and her chubby cheeks slightly coloured.
"Hi! I am Cheryl but everyone calls Cherry."
"It’s very nice to et you, Cheryl. You have a beautiful na," Skyla told her in a cheerful voice.
Zyair watched their exchange with a satisfied heart, she was so natural with the kids and his mind wondered if she would like to have her own.
During all their interactions, Skyla had never spoken about kids. He could only hope that Doran had not permanently scarred her in that aspect. Only if he knew that she was reluctant to talk to him because of similar fears.
All of them settled down in their comfortable and yet gaudy-looking living room. The sofas, the wallpapers, and the decorations all had vibrant spring hues to them and Skyla loved how comfortable, well lighted and airy, their ho was.
Cheryl chose to sit alongside Skyla and couldn’t help but stare at her every few seconds. She had neatly folded her hands in her lap like a young poised lady. Skyla’s soft red curls fascinated Cheryl.
"You are very beautiful. Are you Maziah’s girlfriend?" She asked in a hushed voice but everyone heard her. Making both Skyla and Zyair exchange shy smiles.
"Young lady, what did we talk about?" Iris sternly gave her daughter a look which creased her forehead.
"It’s alright, children are inquisitive." Skyla placed her hand on Cheryl’s shoulder and answered, "Yes we are friends."
"Maziah is the nicest man and my friend. Take care of him." Cheryl from the very beginning had given Zyair the nickna and she was insistent on using it.
Iris was shaking her head, her daughter was too sassy especially when it ca down to Zyair.
Lawrence was openly laughing at his sister’s words and Zyair was watching her with an amused expression.
"He for sure is and I promise to take care of him." Skyla extended her hand to Cheryl to make the promise and the small girl shook it with a cheery smile.
"Can I show you my artwork? I always show Maziah." Cheryl expectantly asked, seeing that Skyla was being nice to her. She got up and bounced on her feet in excitent.
"Of course, I would love to see it," Skyla returned her excitent. Hearing her answer the little girl ran away with her curls bouncing up and down.
"That girl, sorry she gets excited easily." Iris tried to apologise but Skyla stopped her.
"No worries. That’s what kids do."
Iris was thankful for her understanding, most people get offended or fed up from the kids.
"I will bring refreshnts and in a few hours we will cut the cake. Cheryl has invited a few friends over but we tried to keep the people to a minimum. Just a few kids," Iris explained while getting up and heading to the kitchen.
Another boy around the age of 16 walked inside with his ears covered with headphones and a cell phone in his hand.
"Yo! Mr. Zyair. How you been?" He halted, removed his headphones and greeted Zyair in a voice very similar to Lawrence’s.
"Good, how are you doing Tazo?" Zyair calmly answered.
"I am rocking it. Working on my new music. I will hit you up later," Tazo spoke with an accent.
"Absolutely."
The boy then turned and his eyes fell on Skyla. He awkwardly waved his hand, a slight blush appearing on his tan cheeks.
"Hi!" His voice ca out extrely shy.
"Hello!" Skyla greeted him with a genuine smile and the boy almost ran away after that.
Lawrence chuckled at his younger brother’s reaction.
"Tazo is shy, not mouthy like . It takes him quite a ti to adjust to new people."
"It’s quite alright. He looks a lot like you," Skyla answered as Cheryl appeared again and requested Skyla.
"Mama says co to the other room. We will have tea there and Mr. Zyair can easily have it with Lawrence."
Skyla stood up while Zyair appreciatively nodded at his girl to go on.
"Of course! Lead the way, Cheryl," she asked and began to follow the little girl.
Iris welcod her in the sitting room where they had arranged for the birthday to be celebrated. It was all decorated with beautiful ribbons, multicoloured balloons and strears. A huge banner saying "Happy Birthday Cherry" in rainbow colours also hung on the wall. Ribbons weaved down from it and touched the floor.
"Please, have a seat," Iris requested towards the champagne-shaded calback sofa.
Skyla seated herself and Cheryl plopped herself beside her, handing her the art book she had brought along.
"Let the lady eat sothing first, Cherry." Her mother slightly admonished her for being so impatient as she poured tea for Skyla.
"It’s not trouble. I love art and would love to see what Cherry had drawn."
Skyla opened the art book and began to observe the beautiful art the birthday girl had created. It was evident that she enjoyed the rainbow and bright colours.
"It’s very well drawn. You are really talented Cheryl. Do you want to beco an artist when you grow up?" Skyla asked, lifting her eyes and gazing at a very expectant and happy girl.
"Yes, it’s my passion. I love to paint and draw." She announced with a clap, her cheeks swelled from the praises.
"You have the talent. Keep polishing it." Skyla smiled at the girl who was watching her with keen interest.
The doorbell rang and she jumped out of her seat and ran away while saying.
"My friends are here."
Her mother shook her head and handed Skyla the teacup.
"She is like a mini tornado."
Skyla accepted it with a gracious nod and placed the art book back on the table.
"Children bring so much energy and vibe."
Both the ladies began to sip tea and Iris offered Skyla so scones and biscuits.
"We are very grateful to Mr. Zyair. I am sure Lawrence must have told you but we almost ca onto the streets until he ca along and beca our ssiah. Cherry was only a year old at that ti." Iris recalled the darkest period of her life, her eyes had dimd from the painful recollections.
Skyla sympathetically nodded.
"Lawrence did. Zyair is a gem and I am very glad he found you people."
"For real. I followed so of your case and I just want to say how much I admire you for being so brave. I hope you find your happiness with Mr Zyair. Both of you deserve it, we have been rooting for him for a while now. Seems like our prayers have finally been heard. You two look so good together."
Iris frankly told her and Skyla took a small sip of the delicious tea before placing the cup back and responding.
"Thank you for not believing I am a gold digger like most people do. I appreciate it."
"Oh! Believe , I know a gold digger when I see one. All I see is the love and admiration you carry for Mr Zyair."
Iris was indeed a wise woman and Skyla couldn’t help but feel respect for her. They conversed for a while longer until it was ti to cut the cake and celebrate little Cherry’s big day.
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